Preparing for your MOT Test

At our test centres, there is no retest fee payable if the car is returned to the centre for retest within 14 days of the original test. Although it is not possible for the average motorist to check all the test points for himself, a little understanding of what is tested and how it is tested goes At our test centres, there is no retest fee payable if the car is returned to the centre for retest within 14 days of the original test. Although it is not possible for the average motorist to check all the test points for himself, a little understanding of what is tested and how it is tested goes a long way to help your vehicle to pass. By reading the points below, you may be able to pick up on some of the more obvious points that your vehicle can fail on. You may also refer to our M.O.T. testers manual to see the various reasons for failing items in this list.

Brakes

Inside the car

Anti-lock braking system (if fitted) Warning lamp is checked for:

• Function.

• Sequence of operation. Footbrake

• Reserve travel on the footbrake so that it does not go down to the floor

• Pedal rubber not worn to excess

• Correct operation of the servo assistance system.

Reserve brake

This could be a handbrake or a footbrake.

Checked for reserve travel so that it does not reach the stops on application.

The mountings will be checked for security and /or corrosion.

Under bonnet checks

• Master cylinder and servo unit are checked for fluid leaks with the engine on and the brakes applied.

• Servo unit will be checked to ensure it is operating correctly.

• Visible metal or flexible brake pipes will be checked for corrosion, condition, breakages or leaks.

Under Vehicle checks

With an assistant applying load to the

footbrake:

• Flexible brake pipes and any other metal brake pipes visible beneath the car are checked

• Disks and drums checked for condition and contamination

• Brake back plates and calliper securing devices are checked for condition and security

• Condition of the brake pads will be checked if visible

• An assistant operates the handbrake while the condition of the linkages and/or cables is checked.

• On some vehicles there will be a brake compensating valve beneath the car which will need to be inspected for fluid leaks

Brake performance check

The performance of the front and rear brakes will be checked for efficiency and balance using specialised equipment.

DOORS

Both front doors must be capable of being opened from the inside and outside and all doors must latch securely.

Tailgates, bootlids etc.

All these items, including the tailboards and dropsides of trucks must be capable of being secured in the closed position.

EMISSIONS

These are checked using specialised equipment, the details of the check depending on the year that the vehicle was first used on the road. Excessive smoking is a reason for failure. Diesel emissions are checked by using a smoke meter.

FUEL SYSTEM

Any fuel leak will result in a fail. Checked under the bonnet and throughout the run of the fuel line from the fuel tank to the engine.

• The fuel filler cap must fasten securely

• The seal in the cap must not be torn, deteriorated or missing

• No other defect should be present which could cause fuel to leak out.

HORN

• Operation.

• Control should be easily reached by the driver.

• Volume must be sufficiently audible to pedestrians and other vehicles.

• The tone should not consist of a sequential multi-tone.

LIGHTS

All required lights are checked for:

• Operation.

• Condition.

• Security.

Side lights and headlamps:

• Acceptable make/model.

• Dip and aim must be within specified perameters Stop lights, indicators and hazard lights*

• Acceptable make/model

• Lights,indicators and hazard lights must not interfere with each other whilst in operation.

Number plate lamps

Rear reflectors

There must be two reflectors fitted reasonably symmetrically, securely attached and not obscured.

* Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1986, but if fitted, must be tested.

** Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1980.

MIRRORS

Not all mirrors on all vehicles are subject to Test, depending on the age of the vehicle. Those mirrors which must be checked must be:

• Secure

• Visible from the drivers seat

• Not distorted or damaged so as to seriously impair the drivers view to the rear.

REGISTRATION PLATES AND VIN* (Vehicle Identification Number)

For registered vehicles the plate must be:

• Present

• Secure

• Not faded, dirty or obscured

• Be composed with correctly formed letters and spacing

The VIN number must be

• Permanently displayed

• Consistent · Legible.

* Required on all vehicles first used on or after 1st August 1980.

SEAT BELTS

Most vehicles after 1965 must have seat belts, irrespective of that requirement, all seat belts fitted to any vehicle must be inspected for:

• Security of seat belt mountings and locking stalks

• Security and operation of the locking/release mechanism

• Condition of webbing

• Retraction of the belt (it is permissable to manually feed it in).

Notes:

1 For technical reasons the inertia locking mechanism is not checked.

2 On some vehicles the belt is attached to the seat, in which case the security of the seat to the vehicle would also constitute part of the seat belt check.

SEATS

• The driver’s and the front passenger’s seats must be secure

• All seat backs must be securable in the upright position.

STEERING

Inside the car checks

• Steering wheel and steering column:

• Steering wheel condition

• The steering wheel must be securely attached to the steering shaft

• The upper bearings of the steering column are inspected for wear

• The steering shaft is checked for excessive end float

• Clamping bolts security

• The split pins and locking nuts

• The ‘free play’ in the steering

• Flexible couplings and universal joints.

Under the bonnet checks

Vary according to the vehicle;

Some of these items cannot be observed from under the bonnet on some makes and models. However in all cases checks

will be made for:

• The security of the steering rack or steering box and its mountings

• Any discernible play in the steering joints

• Swivel joints which form part of the steering system which can be readily inspected from under the bonnet will obviously be inspected.

• Whilst the vehicle stands on special Swivel plates the wheels are turned from lock to lock and checked to ensure that wheels and tyres do not foul of either the structure of the vehicle or any brake pipes or hoses.

Under vehicle checks

• All the steering joints.

• Power steering systems.

• Security of attachment of the steering rack or steering box is checked both with respect to tightness of the nuts and bolts, and structural cracking or corrosion of the vehicle chassis where it is attached.

• Also, split pins/locking nuts and other locking or retaining devices relate to steering components. Some cars have an element of rear wheel steering which is checked from beneath the car. The front suspension is checked, but also the rear for:

• Excessive wear to Wheel bearings.

• Condition of front drive shafts/CV joints.

SUSPENSION

Under bonnet checks

• Upper suspension joints

• Any other suspension components which can be inspected from beneath the bonnet

Under vehicle checks

Both the front and rear suspension are checked to ensure.

• No split pins or nuts missing, no components broken or bent

• Road springs function effectively, no excessive wear

• Suspension joints function effectively, no excessive wear

• Shock absorbers must not leak and must be secure (the vehicle will be ‘bounced’ by the Tester to check that they damp the springs adequately).

Suspension is checked for wear by the assistant applying loads in various ways with the wheels jacked up whilst the Tester observes the result from beneath the vehicle.

TYRES/WHEELS

Tyre condition

A failure with respect to tyre wear will result where:-

The grooves of the tread pattern are not at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising:

• Central 3/4 of the breadth of tread

• Entire outer circumference of the tyre.

Tyres must be correctly matched with regard to:

• Type

• Size

• Structure

• Location on the vehicle with respect to the axles.

Also examined:

• General condition of tyre

• Condition of valve

Tyres fail if they have serious cuts, bulges or other damage. The wear on the tyre is checked with a tyre tread depth gauge to ensure compliance. The tyres are examined to ensure that there is no fouling with any part of the vehicle.

Note:

The condition of the spare tyre is not part of the MOT.

Wheel condition

Inspection to reveal:

• Damage

• Distortion

• Cracks

• Distorted bead rims

• How securely attached to the vehicle

• No wheel-nuts or studs missing

An externally fitted spare wheel or spare wheel carrier must not be so insecure that it is likely to fall off.

VEHICLE STRUCTURE

Body condition and security

• The vehicle body must not insecure or displaced so as to constitute a risk of loss of control of the vehicle when driven, or a danger to other road users.

• There must be no dangerous sharp edges or projections caused by corrosion or damage

Corrosion

• Excessive corrosion in a ‘prescribed area’, but which is likely to adversely affect the vehicle’s brakes or steering.

Note

‘Excessive corrosion’ can mean a hole or a significantly weakened structure.

WINDSCREEN

The inspection has to ascertain all items affecting the driver’s view of the road: the condition of the windscreen, the wipers and washers.

a long way to help your vehicle to pass. By reading the points below, you may be able to pick up on some of the more obvious points that your vehicle can fail on. You may also refer to our M.O.T. testers manual to see the various reasons for failing items in this list.

Brakes

Inside the car

Anti-lock braking system (if fitted) Warning lamp is checked for:

• Function.

• Sequence of operation. Footbrake

• Reserve travel on the footbrake so that it does not go down to the floor

• Pedal rubber not worn to excess

• Correct operation of the servo assistance system.

Reserve brake

This could be a handbrake or a footbrake.

Checked for reserve travel so that it does not reach the stops on application.

The mountings will be checked for security and /or corrosion.

Under bonnet checks

• Master cylinder and servo unit are checked for fluid leaks with the engine on and the brakes applied.

• Servo unit will be checked to ensure it is operating correctly.

• Visible metal or flexible brake pipes will be checked for corrosion, condition, breakages or leaks.

Under Vehicle checks

With an assistant applying load to the

footbrake:

• Flexible brake pipes and any other metal brake pipes visible beneath the car are checked

• Disks and drums checked for condition and contamination

• Brake back plates and calliper securing devices are checked for condition and security

• Condition of the brake pads will be checked if visible

• An assistant operates the handbrake while the condition of the linkages and/or cables is checked.

• On some vehicles there will be a brake compensating valve beneath the car which will need to be inspected for fluid leaks

Brake performance check

The performance of the front and rear brakes will be checked for efficiency and balance using specialised equipment.

DOORS

Both front doors must be capable of being opened from the inside and outside and all doors must latch securely.

Tailgates, bootlids etc.

All these items, including the tailboards and dropsides of trucks must be capable of being secured in the closed position.

EMISSIONS

These are checked using specialised equipment, the details of the check depending on the year that the vehicle was first used on the road. Excessive smoking is a reason for failure. Diesel emissions are checked by using a smoke meter.

FUEL SYSTEM

Any fuel leak will result in a fail. Checked under the bonnet and throughout the run of the fuel line from the fuel tank to the engine.

• The fuel filler cap must fasten securely

• The seal in the cap must not be torn, deteriorated or missing

• No other defect should be present which could cause fuel to leak out.

HORN

• Operation.

• Control should be easily reached by the driver.

• Volume must be sufficiently audible to pedestrians and other vehicles.

• The tone should not consist of a sequential multi-tone.

LIGHTS

All required lights are checked for:

• Operation.

• Condition.

• Security.

Side lights and headlamps:

• Acceptable make/model.

• Dip and aim must be within specified perameters Stop lights, indicators and hazard lights*

• Acceptable make/model

• Lights,indicators and hazard lights must not interfere with each other whilst in operation.

Number plate lamps

Rear reflectors

There must be two reflectors fitted reasonably symmetrically, securely attached and not obscured.

* Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1986, but if fitted, must be tested.** Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1980.

MIRRORS

Not all mirrors on all vehicles are subject to Test, depending on the age of the vehicle. Those mirrors which must be checked must be:

• Secure

• Visible from the drivers seat

• Not distorted or damaged so as to seriously impair the drivers view to the rear.

REGISTRATION PLATES AND VIN* (Vehicle Identification Number)

For registered vehicles the plate must be:

• Present

• Secure

• Not faded, dirty or obscured

• Be composed with correctly formed letters and spacing

The VIN number must be

• Permanently displayed

• Consistent · Legible.

* Required on all vehicles first used on or after 1st August 1980.

SEAT BELTS

Most vehicles after 1965 must have seat belts, irrespective of that requirement, all seat belts fitted to any vehicle must be inspected for:

• Security of seat belt mountings and locking stalks

• Security and operation of the locking/release mechanism

• Condition of webbing

• Retraction of the belt (it is permissable to manually feed it in).

Notes:

1 For technical reasons the inertia locking mechanism is not checked.

2 On some vehicles the belt is attached to the seat, in which case the security of the seat to the vehicle would also constitute part of the seat belt check.

SEATS

• The driver’s and the front passenger’s seats must be secure

• All seat backs must be securable in the upright position.

STEERING

Inside the car checks

• Steering wheel and steering column:

• Steering wheel condition

• The steering wheel must be securely attached to the steering shaft

• The upper bearings of the steering column are inspected for wear

• The steering shaft is checked for excessive end float

• Clamping bolts security

• The split pins and locking nuts

• The ‘free play’ in the steering

• Flexible couplings and universal joints.

Under the bonnet checks

Vary according to the vehicle;

Some of these items cannot be observed from under the bonnet on some makes and models. However in all cases checks

will be made for:

• The security of the steering rack or steering box and its mountings

• Any discernible play in the steering joints

• Swivel joints which form part of the steering system which can be readily inspected from under the bonnet will obviously be inspected.

• Whilst the vehicle stands on special Swivel plates the wheels are turned from lock to lock and checked to ensure that wheels and tyres do not foul of either the structure of the vehicle or any brake pipes or hoses.

Under vehicle checks

• All the steering joints.

• Power steering systems.

• Security of attachment of the steering rack or steering box is checked both with respect to tightness of the nuts and bolts, and structural cracking or corrosion of the vehicle chassis where it is attached.

• Also, split pins/locking nuts and other locking or retaining devices relate to steering components. Some cars have an element of rear wheel steering which is checked from beneath the car. The front suspension is checked, but also the rear for:

• Excessive wear to Wheel bearings.

• Condition of front drive shafts/CV joints.

SUSPENSION

Under bonnet checks

• Upper suspension joints

• Any other suspension components which can be inspected from beneath the bonnet

Under vehicle checks

Both the front and rear suspension are checked to ensure.

• No split pins or nuts missing, no components broken or bent

• Road springs function effectively, no excessive wear

• Suspension joints function effectively, no excessive wear

• Shock absorbers must not leak and must be secure (the vehicle will be ‘bounced’ by the Tester to check that they damp the springs adequately).

Suspension is checked for wear by the assistant applying loads in various ways with the wheels jacked up whilst the Tester observes the result from beneath the vehicle.

TYRES/WHEELS

Tyre condition

A failure with respect to tyre wear will result where:-

The grooves of the tread pattern are not at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising:

• Central 3/4 of the breadth of tread

• Entire outer circumference of the tyre.

Tyres must be correctly matched with regard to:

• Type

• Size

• Structure

• Location on the vehicle with respect to the axles.

Also examined:

• General condition of tyre

• Condition of valve

Tyres fail if they have serious cuts, bulges or other damage. The wear on the tyre is checked with a tyre tread depth gauge to ensure compliance. The tyres are examined to ensure that there is no fouling with any part of the vehicle.

Note:

The condition of the spare tyre is not part of the MOT.

Wheel condition

Inspection to reveal:

• Damage

• Distortion

• Cracks

• Distorted bead rims

• How securely attached to the vehicle

• No wheel-nuts or studs missing

An externally fitted spare wheel or spare wheel carrier must not be so insecure that it is likely to fall off.

VEHICLE STRUCTURE

Body condition and security

• The vehicle body must not insecure or displaced so as to constitute a risk of loss of control of the vehicle when driven, or a danger to other road users.

• There must be no dangerous sharp edges or projections caused by corrosion or damage

Corrosion

• Excessive corrosion in a ‘prescribed area’, but which is likely to adversely affect the vehicle’s brakes or steering.

Note

‘Excessive corrosion’ can mean a hole or a significantly weakened structure.

WINDSCREEN

The inspection has to ascertain all items affecting the driver’s view of the road: the condition of the windscreen, the wipers and washers.

MOT Garage in Heanor

Anyday MOT Garage is based in Heanor and provides MOT testing around the Derbyshire area. As a top MOT garage we have been established for many years providing quality and professional MOT tests around the Derbyshire area. All of our staff are qualified and trained MOT testers. Our MOT garage has excellent facilities and tools to ensure we can conduct MOT's on any type of vehicle. We specialise in MOT testing only, and provide free mot re-tests within 10 working days of your first test. Our MOT garage conducts MOT's tests on Cars, Vans up to 3500kg, Motor Cycles, Motor homes.